US Forest Service Burning Coal Vein Campground, located about 49 miles south of Medora on East River Road in Slope County, begins with Mile Post 0. From there, the 144 mile trail winds its way to its northern terminus at the US Forest Service CCC Campground in McKenzie County, located 20 miles south of Watford City, off Highway 85.

The trail name, "Maah Daah Hey", comes from the Mandan Hidatsa Indians. Tribal member Gerard Baker of the Mandan Hidatsa developed this name for the trail. Â In the Mandan Hidatsa language, one word or phrase can describe a picture, feeling, or situation. In this case, the phrase means "Grandfather" or "an area that has been or will be around for a long time." The trail system uses a turtle as the trail marker. The turtle was a symbol of the Lakota Sioux tribe, and was honored because of its firm determination, steadfastness, patience, long life, and fortitude. "The Deuce" was named by Medora District Ranger Scot Fitzwilliams and was designed as an southern extension of the Maah Daah Hey Trail to Amidon, after a meeting with the Slope County commissioners, who asked for a trail into the Slope County seat at Amidon. The Deuce was officially folded into the Maah Daah Hey Trail in 2016 and became the 144 mile long trail we know today.

The trail is open for use all year to non-motorized uses, but at various times of the year, the trail may be impassable due to snow, ice, high water, and mud. Users of the Maah Daah Hey Trail system share the same space with horseback riders, hikers, and bicyclists. Users are expected to respect the rights of others. Shared-use trails are successful when users cooperate and abide by the rules.

To find the real time flow data on the Little Missouri River, log on to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nd/nwis/rt, hold your mouse pointer over your chosen location, wait a second, and the data will appear. If you choose Marmarth, then Medora, then Watford City, you will know whether the river is rising or falling. Remember the river flows from Marmarth towards Watford, so if the river is at 1 foot at Marmarth, 2 feet at Medora, and 3 feet at Watford, it is falling, and if reversed is going to rise. As we receive more input from users we will let you know how that data translates into your ability to cross both at Sully and near Elkhorn. A group of us did cross on horseback, at Sully, when the river was at 4.17 feet, and I would not recommend it. I believe that any reading over 3 feet requires a very experienced horse and rider. There are developing sink holes and a very strong current carrying objects at great speed towards you that increases the hazard. I believe that bikers or hiker would not be able to cross at anywhere near that depth.

Each campground on the trail has hand pumped potable water throughout the season. The campgrounds are 18 or more miles apart so plan accordingly. The Maah Daah Hey Trail Map shows locations of springs, dams, dugouts, and stock tanks. This water is not certified as potable, and may be difficult to filter. Some of these sites are not dependable. The Maah Daah Hey Trail south of Medora does not have springs, dams, etc along the route. Eight water cache sites have been added to the trail by the MDHTA and other volunteer groups. Remember the most foolproof plan, especially for hikers, is to cache water before your trip.

Yes! Certified weed seed free hay is required. A good start for locating certified weed seed free hay is to visit the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Weed Seed Free Forage Program website. This is a state-wide program conducted by the ND Dept of Agriculture. If you are looking for local sources of weed seed free sources select the following counties on the ND Dept of Agriculture website. Counties (county seat) which the trail traverses are Billings (Medora) and Slope (Amidon). Nearby Counties (county seat) are Adams (Hettinger), Bowman (Bowman), Golden Valley (Beach), Hettinger (Mott), McKenzie (Watford City), and Stark (Dickinson).

You can purchase a map at the US Forest Service offices: Medora Ranger District Office located at 99 23rd Ave West, Dickinson, ND; McKenzie Ranger District Office located at 1905 S Main St, Watford City, or you can order a map from the MDHTA website Store.

Do you have an electronic version of the Maah Daah Hey Trail system map? #

Yes. Click on the Trail Guide tab and an interactive electronic version of the map will be displayed. If you want to download the GPX files of the map for your device, click on the trail you want, scroll to the bottom of the trail detail window and then right click on the "Download GPX." Follow the instructions. You will need to repeat this process for each trail you are interested in downloading.

Hello. I and a group of friends are looing forward to riding the Maah Daah Hey this June. I've been looking at the map quite a bit and have noticed a few places where the GPX track in the interactive map differs from the line on the map marking the trail. Which one is more accurate? #

The background map that was used for the interactive map is from an older map of the MDHT when the trail was first laid out 20+ years ago. Since then there have been reroutes of the trail to reduce the trail's impact on the landscape as well as to avoid new developments, etc. The most current trail map available was published in 2002 but the GPX track is of 2017 vintage. A new paper trail map will be available sometime, maybe late 2017. Until then folks that have down loaded and used the GPX track in their devices have been pleased with the result.

This area of North Dakota provides prime habitat for a variety of mammals and birds. Mule and whitetail deer, antelope, wild turkeys, beaver, prairie dogs, and coyotes are often sighted, while an occasional golden eagle, red tail hawk, or prairie falcon may be spotted soaring above. Bighorn sheep and elk have been reintroduced into the area and can be spotted by keen observers. Mountain lions are known to roam the bad lands but are shy and rarely seen. In addition, bison and feral horses roam the range in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

While mountain lions are receiving a lot of attention, sightings are vary rare. You are much more likely to see buffalo (within the National Park), and other small potentially bothersome animals such as skunks and porcupines. If you are concerned, do research these animals before you go on the trail. In general to avoid all wildlife, make noise. A bell, especially for hikers, will generally move most animals away. If an animal is encountered, retreat "big". Move away quickly but do not run, continue to face the animal, and yell, lift arms, look and act big.

As for snakes, noise will help, along with being aware of the times when they are most likely to be warming themselves on the trail. Snakes will normally not go after you, they simply strike when surprised. If you step near a snake, jump away quickly, you do not need to retreat very far, then work your way around that spot. If you like to leave the trail, be aware of their potential hiding places, hunting areas, and warming areas, and be cautious, you are in their habitat. #

Why aren't there more mosquitoes and flying bugs along the MDHT? Does the Forest Service apply insecticides? #

No, the Forest Service doesn't spray for insects. However, bats do a fantastic job of keeping flying insects in check! The badlands is prime habitat for bats native to this area.

Yes. Trail users should take precautions to reduce the chance of picking up these hitchhikers. Dr. Jan Knodel, NDSU Extension Entomologist has put together a list of recommended practices. Be Smart - Do Tick Checks.

Yes, there is one registered support provider. Dakota Cyclery located at 36 Main Street, Medora provides shuttle service guided mountain bike tours, bike repair bike rentals, sales, accessories and parts. Contact information is phone: 701-623-4808; email; sales@dakotacyclery.com; website: www.dakotacyclery.com. The US Forest Service is open to registering other service providers when available.

Yes. Occasionally organized foot and bike races and other events are on the MDHT. Many of these occur in late July through August. MDHTA does not organize these races but does provide some limited support to these races through providing help in manning aide stations. If you are interested in participating in the MDH 100, 75, 50, or 25 or MDHT Run visit Experience Land for more details and to sign up. Events such as these must be registered with the Forest Service prior to being held.

We can't run our bikes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park on the trail and there is no by-pass of the North Unit. Do you have suggestions on how to get around the National Park? #

MDHT traverses the National Park through Congressionally designated wilderness areas and by law only hiking and equestrian use is allowed. So how does a bicyclist get around the North Unit of the National Park? Some riders have attempted to go on the south side of the perimeter fence. This route goes up extreme grades, is very rough through dense brush. People who go this way usually end up cursing this idea for good reason. Some riders will by-pass the Park exiting the MDHT on to Forest Service Road 825 near the intersection of the Long-X Trail traveling south and east 5 miles to US Highway 85, then south 1 mile to Forest Service Road 824, then 5 miles west to Bennett Trailhead. Some riders will just avoid the Park by starting from Bennett Trailhead. MDHTA has worked for a number of years to acquire an easement for a by-pass trail but without success. There is a by-pass around the west side of the South Unit of the National Park. Just follow the Buffalo Gap Trail.

No. E-bikes use an electric motors. Motors whether they are operated by electricity or gasoline are prohibited on the trail. E-bikes can be operated on designated roads as other vehicles. The MDHT has been designated a non-motorized trail since its inception. See the USFS letter on E-bikes and motorized use on the MDHT.

The self-closing gates along the trail are really interesting. Where can I get plans for these gates? #

There are nine developed US Forest Service campgrounds along the MDHTA, one developed National Park Service Campground in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit, and one developed campground operated by North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department at Sully Creek near Medora. Individuals using the developed National Park campground will need to wade east across the Little Missouri from the MDHT. These campgrounds are open year round. Trail users can also camp in undeveloped areas on US Forest Service and National Park Service managed lands. A back country permit is required for camping in the National Park. Information about the National Park back country permit can be found here. Back country permits are not required on US Forest Service managed lands but users will need to follow US FS regulations. Back country camping on State and privately owned land along the trail is prohibited. There are some private developed campgrounds nearby.

Though campgrounds along the MDHT normally don't fill up except potentially during the holidays, there are two public campgrounds on the MDHT that will accept reservations. They are Sully Creek Campground located about 2 miles south of Medora, operated by North Dakota Parks and Recreation and Cottonwood Campground located 6 miles north of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park South Unit entrance station.
Reservations for Sully Creek Campground can be made up to 95 days prior to your stay. Reservations are not accepted for the off season from late-September to mid-May. North Dakota Park and Recreation regulations on reserving camp sites can be found here. Reservations can be made here. Further information about Sully Creek Campground is available here.
Reservations for Cottonwood Campground can be made at recreation.gov. MDHT users will need to wade across the Little Missouri River to use this campground. This campground is accessible to vehicles from the main road in the park.

Is there firewood for purchase at the campsites or do you bring your own? #

You have to bring your own, there is no firewood at the camps. It is strongly advise that firewood should be bought and used locally to prevent the spread of pests both within the state, and to prevent pests from accidentally entering the state. Many states in the Great Plains region near North Dakota have areas under quarantine for pests such as emerald ash borer (EAB), gypsy moth, and Asian longhorned beetle, and it is illegal to move any regulated items (most firewood is considered a regulated item) from quarantined zones out of those states and into North Dakota without a state or federal inspection certificate, or a stamp certifying heat treatment. A destructive insect pest can hitch a ride to non-infested areas, such as the North Dakota badlands. See additional information on firewood regulations at www.nd.gov/ndda/plant-industries/firewood.

Bicycles are not allowed on the Maah Daah Hey trail as it passes through Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The Buffalo Gap Trail is an alternative route around the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park boundary for cyclists.

Camping is prohibited on private and state land.

Users must stay on the trail when crossing private and state land.

Close any gates that you open.

Stock users must use weed seed free hay or feed in order to reduce the risk of exotic/noxious plant introduction.

Artifacts and other cultural features are protected by Federal Law. DO NOT COLLECT OR DISTURB.

Pack out all trash and other materials. Burying trash is prohibited.

Do NOT wash dishes or use detergents in water sources.

For proper sanitation make toilets in a shallow hole 200 feet or more from camp, water sources, and trail.

For your safety, DO NOT APPROACH OIL AND GAS FACILITIES; poison gases may be present.

The NDAWN weather sites provide weather data from automated weather stations located near the following towns. Historical weather data (older than 24 hours) can be obtained at the NDAWN website.
A weather summary since midnight for today along with current weather, updated every 10 minutes, can be viewed on your computer or smartphone. Nearby weather stations are:
Beach,Bowman,Dickinson,Sidney, andWatford City

Webcam at Painted Canyon, Roosevelt National Park
The view of the Badlands at Painted Canyon updated every 15 minutes. Current weather conditions as well as air quality measurements are listed. This webcam is about 10 miles east of the Maah Daah Hey Trail.